Marshal of the Empire

Napoleon's Twenty-Six Marshals (Marechals) were the generals of the Grand Armee who were awarded with high position.

Background
In 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor, appointed twenty-six of his close companions as his Marshals in preparation for the invasion of Britain. His generals served as the leaders of the Grande Armee, and although there was no invasion of Britain as planned due to the Third Coalition of 1805, the Marshals' ranks were held as important. After all, they were the close drinking mates of Napoleon who served in all of his campaigns, and the rank of Marechal proved to be prestigious and rewarding.